FARM TO SUBURB

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 10

FARM TO SUBURB

The City Reaches Out

AUCKLAND’S RAPID GROWTH

THE immense development of the City of Auckland is pushing the suburbs out at an ever-increasing rate. No longer can the residential area be contained on the restricted ground round the city, but year by year new land is being opened up. Where once stood farmers’ houses, surrounded by green paddocks, the pretty suburban bungalow is being erected. \ Winstone Park is an outstanding example of this growth. Although only two or three years ago farm property, it has now been included in the sweep of the growth of Auckland’s suburbs.

TEN or fifteen minutes’ run by bus service down Dominion Road brings a visitor to what is known as Winstone Park. The road all the way runs through populous suburbs with large modern shopping centres, and it seems but a short journey until one is there. Although the impression remains that one is still in the town, the first look round gives the remarkable fact

of Auckland’s most up-to-date suburbs. Concrete roads stretch every foot of the way into the city. The whole park is laid out on flat ground*. The houses that have already been erected are model bungalows—neat and attractive, with tiled roofs and with lawns and gardens. Such success has attended the parts already opened up that Mr. Winstone decided to throw open another piece

that already the town has been left behind and the country reached. The change is astonishing. One moment the city’s suburbs and the next the fresh air and open spaces of the country. Possibly no subdivision can present such a happy combination of proximity to the city with the spaciousness of the country. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS But the prospective homebuildet must not- think that he has also to put up with coutnry road conditions. The new roads on the subdivision have already been properly formed. More than that, the footpaths have been laid out and already asphalted! No wandering ov§r muddy paddocks to look over the subdivision, but a dry walk along clean footpaths. WINSTONE PARK The whole district at the end of Dominon Road Extension is bound up with the development *vork of Mr. G. Winstone, of Winstones, Ltd. He has taken a particular pride in opening up and beautifying the district, and it is now one

of land, adjoining the old estate, and it is this subdivision that is now on the market. THE SUN had an opportunity of seeing the estate yesterday and is struck with the ideal nature of the suburb. Anyone contemplating building a home near Auckland would do well to see .it. PROXIMITY TO TOWN Winstone Park is situated at the end of Dominion Road Extension, before Mt. Roskill is reached. It is within easy walking distance of the Dominion Road trams, but has a bus service of its own right to the estate. The buses maintain a quarter-hour service throughout the day. The suburb is thus brought in close to the city. For example, it would not be impossible to go home for lunch, and everyone in the district can easily come into town again in the evening. The handiness of this when one wants to go to a theatre in the evening, is apparent. HEALTHY SURROUNDINGS While Winstone Park has the advantages of being close to town, it has the equally great advantage of being out on the fringe of the country. Adjoining the estate, and only a few yards away, is the picturesque Mount Roskill reserve. This is a reserve of over 20 'acres, which has been donated to the city by Mr. G. Winstone. A beautiful carriage drive has been built up to the summit, lined nearly all the way with avenues of young trees, and palms of every variety. From the summit a fine panorama can be had of the whole of the Tamaki Isthmus between Manukau and Waitematij. Harbours. All the suburbs south of Auckland lie clustered round the foot of the conical hills, and one realises more than ever that Winstone Park is within the suburban area, yet not part of it. GOLFING From the top of Mt. Roskill a good view is also obtained of the golf links round the south base. The open links and neat greens are within only five or ten minutes’ walk of the estate. What an advantage for golfers! A pleasant round can be made any evening after tea, or if one is so inclined, it would riot be impossible to have a round before work in the morning. The golf house is just over the road from part of the estate. GARDENING It is perhaps to. the amateur gardener that Winstone Park will make the biggest appeal. The volcanic soil round Mt. Roskill is a by-word among Auckland gardeners. It would even be true to state that the hardest work gardening on Winstone Park will not be coaxing flowers to grow, but in preventing them from growing too fast. In conclusion it may safely be said that Winstone Park is a subdivision which should be known by every prospective homebuilder. It offers several distinctive features of interest, and will well repay a visit.